Ammunition priming composition



Patented Apr. 4, 1944 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE AM'MUNITION PRIMING COMPOSITION Philip H. Burdett, Bridgeport, and Gordon M.

Calhoun, Fairfield, Cnn., assignors to Remington Arms Company, Inc., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Application May 10, 1941, Serial No. 392,944

3 Claims.

and eliicient ignition compositions containing the same. A general advance in the art, and other objects which will appear hereinafter, are also contemplated.

After extensive research, the following procedure, in which the parts are given by weight, for preparing the desired compound, has been developed.

To a solution of 1.65 parts of lead nitrate in 60 parts of water at a temperature of 60 0., there was added drop-wise, with constant stirring, a solution consisting of 2.12 parts of 3:5-di-nitrobenzoic acid, 0.4 part of sodium hydroxide, and 70 parts of water. After the addition was complete, stirring was continued for about 5 minutes at the same temperature. The reaction product was then allowed to cool to room temperature with stirring. The desired product separated in the form of pale cream needles. It was filtered 01f and washed with water.

The isolated normal salt had a lead content of 34.3% (theoretical, 33.2%). It was not highly sensitive to shock, and exploded mildly in a flame. The explosion point (3 seconds) was above 350 C.

In the process described above, the temperature of the reaction is not especially critical, and higher temperatures, for example 70 C., can be used satisfactorily.

Very satisfactory results are secured by the use of the new salt as a fuel in ammunition priming mixtures. Its value for this purpose is enhanced by its explosive properties. In such ignition or priming mixtures conventional friction materials, oxidizing materials, particularly the non-corrosive type of oxidizer, and combustion initiators may be used. An example of a very efficient mixture of this type consists of:

Per cent Normal lead 3:5-di-nitro-benzoate 8 Lead styphnate 4O Tetrazene 2 Lead nitrate Glass 20 Other combustion initiators, oxidizers and fuels may be used, and the proportions of the ingredients varied widely. The practical range of proportions of the new normal lead salt of 3:5-di-nitro-benzoic acid is from about 2% to about 15%.

The salt of normal lead 3:5-di-nitro-benzoate being broadly new, the appended claims are to be broadly construed.

We claim:

1. An ignition mixture containing approximately:

Per cent Normal lead 3:5-di-nitro-benzoate 8 Lead styphnate Tetrazene 2 Lead nitrate 1 30 Glass 20- 2. An ignition mixture comprising essentially lead styphnate, tetrazene, lead nitrate, glass and a compound having the formula:

3. A priming mixture for ammunition containing 2% to 15% of normal lead 3:5-di-nitrobenzoate, a non-corrosive oxidizer therefore, and a combustion initiator.

PHILIP H. BURDETT. GORDON M. CALHOUN. 

